After last weekend, something made me think about the last couple of weeks on the road and how many places we had been?   I logged on to my KLM account to check if all my flights had been correctly updated (Can't ever get enough air-miles) . . . . . . That was when I noticed just how hard it can be for the touring musician. Denmark, Norway and Germany over a Friday Saturday and Sunday. Then, after having done a gig in Austria and Romania, I decided to go back to the UK for one night only, yes just a few hours in my own bed in the UK and then a flight back to Spain and back home the day after . . . . . make no bloody wonder I've enough air miles for a Round The World Ticket! . . . . Of course you need time on your hands so you can use them? . . . . so for now, it's just a case of keep on adding them!

I'm currently sat in a hotel Room in Mo I Rana, Norway and writing this blog. Norway always amazes me; it's vastness, the cost of infrastructure must be staggering, make no wonder taxes are high in this part of the world. Then there's the stunning scenery that I take for granted sometimes. I have friends who have booked Fjord cruises and here I am getting it all free of charge and getting paid for being here too! (Yes I always count my blessings)   Norway has been very kind to Smokie, certainly over the last two or three years, we have a lot of work here and it is always appreciated just how much we are so well looked after on our travels in this amazing country (You can't play football for shit though)

MUSICAL TRIPS

Close to where I live in Spain is a great Jazz and Blues festival (The San Javier Jazz and Blues) I plan to go watch Lee Ritenour who plays next week, Fourplay also have a show along with George Benson and Buddy Whittingham, a guitarist I really enjoy. I shall sit in the outside venue in twenty-five plus degrees in my sandals and maybe have a Cana or two . . . . . now how's that for a week ahead?

The Rolling Stones also play in Barcelona in September, I have a feeling that this will be their last tour (don't ask me why, just a feeling) that's also on the agenda. I love music and I'm happy to go and hopefully learn something new, who knows?

SHE KEEPS LEAVING ME

This weekend, my trustee (or not so trustee) Les Paul "Gold Top" has gone missing again . . . . . WTF! . . . . . How I still have that guitar I don't know? KLM should maybe give me a few more air miles for the inconvenience that they bestow upon me each week,  removing my guitar from the luggage bins. Don't these cheese heads realize that Moi, has a Platinum card? . . . . . Hmmmm . . . . . Jeez . . . . . . they can't play football either!!!

Anyways . . . . . I hope your enjoying your summer my friends!

Maybe tomorrow (I'll find my way home) . . . . . what a great song that was - (by the Stereophonics)